Closure mechanism



Oct. 10, 1939. J M L gR 1 2,115,302

CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed 0913. 18, 1937 Fig.4.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Muller d3 ,v WM

Oct. 10, 1939. J. MULLER CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

j tyues Muller Gi'i'orneg Patented Oct. 10, 1939 :3 51-.

UNITED STATES "PATIENTJOFF'ICE Application October is, 1937, Serial N0. 169,750

In France October 22, 1936 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the method and in the apparatus for the closing of tanks and comprises closure mechanism for valves of reservoirs or tanks adapted to contain 1 5 aliquid. Mechanism is provided for opening the tripping mechanism should fail to operate for any reason. There is further provided mechanism which opens the closure valve when the tank becomes empty or nearly so. Mechanism is further provided to permit opening of the closure valve at any time regardless of the level of the liquid in the tank.

' .One object of the invention is to provide a closure for tanks or reservoirs adapted to con- 725. tain a liquid which is automatic in operation and j which may be set to close at any desired predetermined level of liquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a remote reading indicating means capable of showing at all times the liquid, level in the tanks A further object of the invention is to provide a closure valve mechanism wherein the force necessary to effect the closure of the valve is derived from the pressure of the liquid withiri the tank and not from the release'mechanism which has merely the function of liberating the valve to permit it to close.

A further object of the invention is to provide in conjunction with a closure valve means to open the valve when the tank is substantially empty and further means to permit opening of the valve at any moment irrespective of the level valve.

. A further object of the invention is to provide ina device of the class described safety 1 mechanism whereby in the event that the tripj ping mechanism should fail to function, the valve will be closed after a certain predetermined level of liquid has been attained.

:Whilst several objects of the invention have been specifically set forth, reference should be had to the accompanying text and drawings from of liquid in the tank is reached, in the event that of liquid in the reservoir or tank closed by the v which other objects and. advantages of the invention will becomeapparent.

For a clearer understanding of the invention 7 reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which, as much as possible, like ele-- ments havef'been'designated by like reference numerals in the various figures and embodi ments of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is an embodiment of the invention designed to be electrically controlled, Figure 2 is a further embodiment of the inven- -"tion designed to be hydraulically controlled, and 3 q Figure 3 is another embodiment of the inventionfdesigned to be mechanically controlled.

Referring to Figure 1, l designates a tank or reservoir provided with a body 2 immerged or dipping therein, so disposed as to be acted on by the pressure of the liquid that the tank or reservoir is adapted to contain. The body 2 is capable of limited vertical movement and is guided by any means appropriate in a housing 3 more or less inclosing the body, but arranged to permit access of the liquid therethrough. The body 2, whch may be of hollow cylindrical form or hollow rectangular form or of any desired configuration, is provided with a bridge 4, designed to be moved 7 upwardly and downwardly with the body in response to the changes of liquid level. Externally of the reservoir is provided a U bracket 5 having a set screw 6 provided therein between which set screw and the bridge 4 are disposed a series of 7 carbon or graphite sheets or blocks forming a variable resistance or carbon rheostat.

'It is obvious that on movement of the body 2 in response to changes of liquid level in the reservoir the carbon or graphite sheets or blocks will be pressed against each other with varying degrees of force depending on the position of the body 2, For the purpose of precluding access of the liquid tothe rheostat 1, the same is enclosed within a bellows 8,9, of any suitable marena The upper edge of the bellows 8 is afiixed to the edges of the opening in the reservoir through which the rheostat depends whilst the 'lo'wer edge of the bellows 8 and the upper edge". 1 of the bellows 9 are sealed to the upper and lower I faces'of the bridge 4, thus providing a liquid tight --closure for the rheostat.

"The rh'eostat or resistance 1 is disposed inan electrical circuit II] which may be provided it; desired with a; closure switch I I. Arranged to 1 be actuated by the circuit I0 is provided a pointer I2 adapted to moveover a dial l3 in response to -';the variations in current resulting from the change in'resistance of the rheostat'l. Pivoted p55 at the same point I4 as the pointer I2 is a second pointer I5 likewise arranged to mover over a dial I3 and adapted to be adjusted and fixed in position corresponding to the level of liquid desired to be had in the tank. The pointer I5 carries a contact I6 in an electrical circuit I'I comprising a winding I8 and core I9 constituting a solenoid or electro-magnet. The pointer I2 likewise carries a contact 20 which, when brought into engagement with the contact I6, when coincidence of the two pointers I2 and I5 results, is adapted to close the circuit II.

The reservoir I is provided with a hose connection 2| within which is disposed a closure valve 22 intended to be opened to permit the introduction of liquid to the tank or reservoir and closed automatically when a predetermined level of liquid is attained. The valve 22 is provided with a stem 23 operatively connected by rod 24 to an arm 25 pivoted at 26 and carrying a float 27 adapted to be submerged in the liquid. Preferably the hose connection comprises a cylinder 28 fixedly mounted in the reservoir I so as to depend therein, the cylinder being provided with clamping jaws 29 at its upper end to facilitate the connection of the filling hose thereto and projecting downwardly into proximity to the bottom of the tank and surrounding the rod 24.

Pivoted to the valve stem 23 at 30 is a latch 3| urged by any known means (not shown) into position such that when the valve 22 is open the latch engages a pin 32 and thus holds the valve in open position. The float II, as the liquid level rises and operates thereupon tends to draw the rod 24 downwardly to close the valve 22 but is precluded from so doing as long as the latch 3| engages the pin 32.

An armature 33 disposed on an arm 34 pivoted at 35 is adapted to be drawn upwardly by the solenoid or electro-magnet I0|| when the circuit I! is closed through the engagement of the contacts 20|6 carried by the pointers I2 and I5 respectively. The arm 34 carries a trip finger 36 so disposed with respect to the latch 3| that on upward movement of the armature 33 the finger 36 will trip the latch and release the valve I4 for closing.

An arm 3! provided with a float 38 is pivoted at 39 and provided with a trip finger 40 which finger is so positioned that when the float 38 moves upwardly due to the action of the liquid in the reservoir thereon, the finger will be moved to trip the latch 3| and consequently release the valve 22. It is also to be noted that the float 38 is disposed in proximity to the top of the reservoir and is designed to operate the latch only in the event that the automatic settingl mechanism hereinbefore described fails to trip the latch 3| to permit closure of the valve at the liquid level for which the pointer I5 has been set.

It can be seen that the float 21 disposed in proximity to the bottom of the reservoir will, when the liquid level drops low enough, pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 26 to urge the rod 24 upwardly to efiect opening of the valve 22. In order however to permit the valve to be opened irrespective of the liquid level existing in the -tank, further mechanism is provided, consisting of an arm 4| pivoted at 42 and operatively connected as at 43 to the latch 3|. A setting pin 44 urged upwardly by a spring 45 disposed between the reservoir I and a setting knob 46, is disposed adjacent the arm 4| so that when the knob 46 is forced downwardly against the pressure of the spring 45, the rod 44 will ena hydraulic gage the arm 4| and swing it counter-clockwise about the pivot 42, thus lifting the latch 3| and permitting it to engage the pin 32 resulting in opening and latching open of the valve 22.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 1 is as follows:

The pointer I5 is set with respect to the dial I3 for a predetermined liquid level to which it is desired to fill the reservoir. Connection is made through the hose connection 2| to a source of liquid from which the reservoir is to be filled. The valve 22 is opened and latched in position and the filling operation commences. The rise of liquid level in the reservoir operates on the body 2 to displace it and thus modify the resistance I of the circuit I0 causing the pointer I2 to move over the dial I3. When the pointer I2 reaches coincidence with the pointer I 5, the contacts 20 and I6 engage closing the circuit I I and thus energizing the solenoid or electro-magnet |0| I. The energization of the latter results in drawing the armature 33 upwardly and tripping of the latch 3| through the finger 36. The pressure of the in-coming liquid acting on the valve 22 or the force of the float I'I acting through the rod 24 on the valve 22 or both brings about a closure of the valve and thusa discontinuance of the filling operation at a point corresponding to the liquid level desired in the reservoir and for which the pointer I 5 has been previously set.

Figure 2 shows a device similar to that of Figure 1 wherein the actuation of the closure valve in response to the level of the liquid in the reservoir is brought about through hydraulic mechanism.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the majority of the elements within the reservoir are provided with reference numerals corresponding to those given to similar elements in the embodiment of Figure 1. In connection with Figure 2, it is to be noted that the filling of the reservoir is intended to take place from underneath and consequently the valve 22 opens downwardly and closes upwardly in contradistinction to the operation of the valve 22. of Figure 1.

In Figure 2, the immerged body 2, when acted upon by the variations of the liquid level in the reservoir I, operates the pointer I2 through an remote I control mechanism. This control consists of a deformable element or bellows or cylinder or any other motor means IOI, connected through a conduit I02 to a similar deformable organ or bellows I03. The pointer I2 designed to move over a dial I3 may be actuated by the organ I03 in any desired manner so as to move over the dial I3 corresponding to the changes inwthe liquid level in the reservoir. The pointer I5 which is adapted to be set corresponding to the predetermined desired liquid level to which the reservoir is to be filled, carries a cam I04 pivoted excentrically at I4 and designed to co-operate with and displace a member I05.

The member I05 is guided for more or less vertical movement and provided with a slot I06 in which engages a fixed pin I01 and a second pin I08 carried by a bar or similar member I09 connected to the deformable organ I03 and adapted to be displaced thereby in response to changes in the liquid level in the reservoir. A hydraulic compensating mechanism is provided for the purpose of compensating the operation of the mechanism heretofore described for variations in the surrounding atmosphere. The compensating mechanism comprises a deformable organ or bellows IIO connected by means of a conduit III to a deformable organ or bellows II2 disposed within the reservoir and supported if desired by connection to the. lower. surface of the top thereof. The bellows H of the compensating system is connected to the bar I09 operated by the deformable organ or bellows I03.

The lower portion of the member I is cut on a bias as at H3 and depends into proximity to a pin II 4 carried by a bar H5 which bar is connected' to a hydraulic system comprising a first bellows H6 connected by a conduit II'I to the second bellows H8. The cam I04 is so-formed that the member I05 is moved upwardly and thus the biased face I I 3 moved further away from the pin H4 according as the pointer I5 is set for greater liquid levels. The member may be. urged into constant contact with the cam through any suitable means as by a spring (not shown). To the second bellows II 8 is pivoted as at H9 one end of the arm 34 pivoted at 35 carrying a trip finger 35, adapted to trip the latch 3|, as "described with reference to Figure 1. A hydraulic compensating system is also associated with the deformable organ or bellows H6, comprising a deformable organ or bellows I20 connected to the bar H5 and communicating through conduit I2I with a deformable organ or bellows I22.

The operation of the mechanism of Figure 2 is as follows:

On increase of the liquid level in the reservoir I, the body 2 moves upwardly exerting a pressure through hydraulic system I0'I-I02--I 03 and causing the pointer I2 to move over dial I3. When the pointer I5 has been set for that liquid level at which closure of the valve 22 is desired, it positions the member I05 with respect to the pin H4 such that when the pointer I2 coincides with the pointer I5, the biased lower portion of the member I05 will have been moved by the deformable organ I03 into contact with the pin H4, thus urging the pin II4 to the right in Figure 2 and exerting through the hydraulic system IIG-I II-I I8 a downward pressure on the pivot I9. The pressure causes the arm 34 to swing in a counterclockwise direction and trip the latch 3|. The valve 22 is now released for closing and as in Figure 1 the fioat 21 through the intermediary of the arm 25 moves the rod 24 upwardly to close the valve. As described with respect to Figure 1, there is also provideda safety trip 3'I38--39-40, by which, in the event that the automatic trip mechanism fails to operate, the latch 3i will be tripped to permit the valve 22 to be closed. Furthermore as in the device of Figure 1, setting mechanism operated by the button 45 is provided for setting the latch 3I in position to hold the valve 22 open.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein the tripping mechanism is actuated through the intermediary of a Bowden cable. The body 2 dipping into the liquid in the tank I is connected to a rod 20I guided for substantially vertical movement at 202 in the reservoir upper wall. Pivoted to one end of the rod 20I, are bell crank levers 203-204 each provided with weights 205--2 06 and pivoted respectively to links 201-208, the upper ends of which links are pivoted at 2092I0 respectively to a fixed pivot. The rod 20I is connected through the intermediary of the core 2H of a Bowden cable, the sheath of which is designated 2I2, to two pivoted arms 2I4-2I5 carrying respectively weights 2I6--2II and in turn pivoted at 2I8-2I9 to links 220-e-22I pivoted at their lower ends to fixed pivots 222223. Beyond the pivot 2I3, the 1core'2I'I of the Bowden cable extends Iupw'ardlythroug'h a guide224 and carries anv abutment. 225.12'

As in: Figures 1 and 2 there is provided a pointer I5 associated with a dial I3, which pointer is adapted to be set to the position corresponding to the desired level to which the tank or reservoir is to be filled. Furthermore as in Figures v1 and 2, there is provided a pointer I2 which pointer, .in Figure .3, is actuated from either of the arms 2I4 -2I5 through any desirable manner as, for instance, by a link 226, so as to pass over the ,dial I3 and indicate at all times the liquid level in the reservoir. The pointer I 5 is provided with a cam I04 disposed in an operative arrangement with respect to an organ I05 which is urgedinto contact with the cam by spring H2. The organ I05is provided with a slot I06 and a pivot 22! engages in a slot. The organ I05 carries a finger 228, projecting to the right in Figure 3 into proximity to the abutment 225 and between said abutment 225 and an abutment 229 connected to the core 230 of a Bowden cable which core is likewise connected to the trip arm 34.

The cam I04 is so formed that the wedge shaped finger projects progressively less and less to the right between abutments 225 and 229 according as the pointer I5 is set for greater liquid levels.

The operation of the device of Figure 3 is as follows:

In the setting of the pointer I5 with respect to the dial I3, corresponding to the liquid level at which closure of the valve 22 is desired, displacement of the pointer efiects through the cam I04 setting of the organ I05 with respect to abutment 22 5-429. Weights 205206 urge the core 2H of the cable downwardly in opposition to the effect of the body 2 which tends to rise as the liquid level in the reservoir or tank rises. As the body 2 rises through the intermediary of the core 2I I, arm 2I5 and link 226, it transmits motion to the pointer I 2 causing the pointer to move over the dial I3. The arrangement is such that when the pointer I2 coincides with the pointer I5, the abutment 225 has moved upwardly sufiicently to abut the finger 228 of the organ I05 and force it against 229. The result is that the abutment 229 is moved upwardly and by virtue of its connection to arm 34 causes the trip finger 36 to trip the latch 3I and release the rod 24 so as to permit closure of the valve 22.

Whilst three embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is particularly to be borne in mind that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the nature of the invention and are not to be taken as limitative of the scope thereof which is defined in the appended following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reservoir having a closure valve, means for opening and holding the valve in open position, means responsive to the level of liquid in the reservoir for releasing the holding means and further means responsive to the liquid level in the reservoir for releasing the holding means if the last named means fails to function.

2. In combination with a reservoir having a closure valve therefor, a latch adapted to hold the valve in open position, fioat means tending to close the valve, float means distinct from said first named fioat means adapted to release the latch after a predetermined level of liquid is reached and further means responsive to the liquid level in the tank adapted to be preset to release the latch at a predetermined liquid level.

3. In combination with a tank having a closure valve therefor, a latch adapted to be set to hold the valve in open position, means responsive to the liquid level in the reservoir for setting the latch and manual means for setting the latch, means responsive to the level of liquid in the reservoir for releasing the latch and means adapted to be preset to release the latch at any desired liquid level in the reservoir. a

4. In combination with a liquid reservoir and a closure valve therefor, a latch adapted to be set to hold the valve in'opeh position, float means responsive to the level of the liquid tending to closure the valve, means responsive to the level of liquid in the reservoir adapted to release energy to trip the latch, means for setting the liquid eration and float means adapted to trip the latch in the event that therelease means fails to operergy to trip the latch, and additional pressure responsive means acting upon said first-named pressure responsive means to offset the effect which variations in the surrounding atmosphere would otherwise have upon operation of said first named pressure responsive means.

JACQUES MULLER.

-leve1'at which the release means comes into op- 

